The third and final topic in this series, which Ball State is hosting with The Star Press, is economic development. It will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts. I hope you will join us.

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The second Better Together Public Forum with the Muncie community discussed arts and culture at Minnetrista.
Video Provided by Ball State University

Muncie continues to face some significant challenges, primarily because of external economic forces. These changes have substantially reduced the number of manufacturing jobs, which has caused a decline in our local population.

If Muncie continues to decline, it will impede Ball State’s ability to secure a bright future for our university. Our fortunes are inextricably intertwined. That is reason enough for Ball State to do what it can to help Muncie build an economy for the 21st century.

But our desire to have a positive, lasting impact on Muncie transcends self-interest. I believe Ball State has a moral obligation to Muncie. That obligation is embodied by Beneficence, Ball State’s iconic symbol of excellence, integrity and respect. And gratitude. Fittingly, Beneficence was commissioned by the Muncie Chamber of Commerce. And in the midst of the Great Depression, the citizens of Muncie donated $450,000 to construct it and install it on our campus.

Gratitude means more than an expression of appreciation. It requires us to act. I intend to use the strong foundation of this university — and its small army of talented men and women — to partner with our friends and neighbors to secure a bright, vibrant economic future for Muncie.

To be sure, Ball State is already an economic engine for Muncie and Delaware County. Our university’s presence creates more than 10,000 jobs. More than one in five collected tax dollars in Muncie – 28 percent – are the result of Ball State. Approximately 75 percent of Ball State employees live in Delaware County.

We are committed to strengthening the physical connection of our campus to the community in order to help spur economic growth. Our East Mall plans, for example, will improve pedestrian and bicycle traffic and the connection between campus, The Village and downtown. This path may also continue south along Martin Street as part of the Muncie Arts and Cultural Trail that connects to the White River and the city of Muncie. We will have a greenway where students can gather, meet, have lunch, and enjoy themselves outdoors.

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Ball State University's new president Geoffrey S. Mearns spent Wedneday, Sept. 13 listening to Muncie's concerns about local schools and neighborhoods and the university's role in addressing them.
Ball State University

Our students are and will remain active in the Muncie community. Last academic year, almost 3,000 students volunteered with 78 community partners in Muncie and Delaware County. They logged the equivalent of 55,000 hours for an estimated economic impact of $1.3 million.

But we can and will do more.

On Oct. 12, we want to hear your ideas. A panel of community leaders and Ball State experts will listen to the community and answer questions. I will be joined by:

Traci Lutton, vice president of economic development for the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance.

Chris Caldwell, senior vice president of commercial and business banking for MutualBank.

David Terrell, director of Ball State’s Rural Policy Research Institute and interim co-director of the Indiana Communities Institute..

Improving Muncie’s economy will take a united effort. Neither I nor the university I serve has all the answers. My pledge continues to be to engage and listen. And act. We are, unquestionably, better together.